Inspection on 24/07/06 for Albion Court

This inspection was carried out on 24th July 2006.

CSCI has not published a star rating for this report, though using similar criteria we estimate that the report is Good. The way we rate inspection reports is consistent for all houses, though please be aware that this may be different from an official CSCI judgement.

The inspector found there to be outstanding requirements from the previous inspection report but made no statutory requirements on the home.

Other inspections for this house

Albion Court 03/07/08

Albion Court 20/07/07

Albion Court 01/12/05

Albion Court 01/11/04

Albion Court 22/07/04

Similar services:

Turret Villa Retirement Home

Moor House

Mendip House

Beaconsfield Court Care Home

Little Sisters Of The Poor

Manor House

Middleton Hall Ltd

Middlesbrough Intermediate Care Centre

Extracts from inspection reports are licensed from CQC, this page was updated on 08/07/2008.

CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE Albion Court Albion Way Blyth Northumberland NE24 5BW Lead Inspector Karena M Reed Key Unannounced Inspection 24th July 2006 12:15 X10015.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Reader Information Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI www.csci.org.uk Internet address Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 2 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Care Homes for Older People. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION Name of service Albion Court Address Albion Way Blyth Northumberland NE24 5BW Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) 01670 362354 F/P 01670 362354 sartoria@freenet.co.uk Heathdale Care Ltd Mrs L Jones Care Home 31 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (17), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (14) of places Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION Conditions of registration: Date of last inspection 1st December 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Albion Court is a detached home situated in a residential area near to the centre of Blyth, it is close to local shops, doctors and public houses. It is also close to the Northumbrian coast and the nearby countryside. It is accessible by public transport. It is registered to provide personal care to thirty-one older people , six of the places are registered for people with severe memory loss. The home does not provide nursing care. All bedrooms are for single occupancy. There are two large lounges, one to the front and one at the rear with access to a large garden, there is a separate dining room. There are three bathrooms, one of which contains an assisted bath. There are sufficient lavatories around the home. A Statement of Purpose and service user guide are available for prospective residents and their relatives to give them information about the services provided by the home and the relevant charges. Fees payable for living at the home at the time of inspection in July 2006 vary between £378.45 and £383.52. Additional charges are payable for hairdressing, private chiropody, beautician and personal newspapers. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This visit was unannounced and took place over three hours. A partial tour of the premises took place and a sample of records were inspected which included: 4 care plans, the fire log, accident book, admission /discharge book, complaints record, 2 personal allowance records, staff communication book, staff meeting minutes and two staff files. The manager, domestic, cook, two carers and seventeen residents were interviewed at the time of inspection. The home had also sent in information about the home before the inspection. What the service does well: What has improved since the last inspection? Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 Some staff have received training about challenging behaviour so that they may understand the different needs of residents and ways they may communicate. Staff have received training about the Protection of Vulnerable Adults which helps to protect residents from different forms of abuse. The building is becoming better maintained and physically the environment is improving however this must continue in order to ensure the home provides a comfortable place for residents to live and complies with health and safety requirements. Eight armchairs have been replaced in the rear lounge to provide more comfort to residents. Communal areas and some bedrooms have been redecorated and “touched up.” Fire doors are being replaced. What they could do better: Requirements from previous inspections must be carried out within the prescribed timescales. All armchairs should be replaced as required to ensure health and safety requirements are met. The carpet by the cleaning cupboard and rear lounge must be replaced in the interests of health and safety. Carpets in the hallways must be cleaned or replaced in the interest of health and safety. The carpet in the dining room must be cleaned or replaced in the interests of health and safety. The heating system to the area of the building identified must be made good in time for the change in weather conditions. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 The hot water system to the extension of the building on the top floor must be made good in order to provide an adequate supply of running hot water to all bedrooms and the bathroom. The identified kitchen Formica work surface must be replaced in the interests of health and safety. A record must be kept of all food prepared and provided to residents. A paper copy of relevant menus must be available at the time of inspection. An up to date relevant medication record must be attached securely to the dosette box of medication in the interests of health and safety. Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR FINDINGS CONTENTS Choice of Home (Standards 1–6) Health and Personal Care (Standards 7-11) Daily Life and Social Activities (Standards 12-15) Complaints and Protection (Standards 16-18) Environment (Standards 19-26) Staffing (Standards 27-30) Management and Administration (Standards 31-38) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 Choice of Home The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 3,4,5 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. Residents and their relatives are given information about the home to help them decide if they want to live there. They also have an opportunity to visit the home to see if it is suitable. The home collects enough information about the needs of residents before they move in to help ensure staff are aware of the amount of care and support needs of the resident as they settle in. EVIDENCE: Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 An up-to date Statement of Purpose and service user guide are available in the home. They record all the service and facilities provided by the home and give information about the home to help a new resident settle in. The records for a resident recently admitted to the home showed that an assessment of their care needs had been carried out before their admission. The resident and their family were involved in the initial assessment. This information and the care manager’s assessment of the resident’s care needs were used to ensure all the needs of the resident could be met by staff. The records contained a range of information. Four staffing files showed staff receive training so that they know how to meet the specialist needs of the residents. Staff have received training about working with behaviour that may be challenging, infection control. Future training includes dementia care that will assist staff to understand the needs of some residents. Residents have the opportunity to visit the home as many times as they like to decide if they wish to live there. This may involve tea- time visits, day and overnight stays and can be adjusted to the pace of the individual. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 Health and Personal Care The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 7,8,9,10 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. The standard of care planning is very good. Any problem areas are identified and written into the care plan. This helps staff provide the necessary levels of support and also involve other agencies if required. Staff receive training before they are able to administer medication to residents. There are good arrangements in place to ensure residents health care needs are met. Service users are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 EVIDENCE: There are comprehensive assessments in the residents’ care records. The care records looked at were well documented and recorded the personal care and support needs of residents and gave clear instructions to staff on how to support people in tasks such as washing, bathing, dressing, remaining mobile in order to help retain some independence. Care plans looked at were reviewed on a regular basis. There was comprehensive information available on residents’ files about their social and leisure interests. Residents maintain contact with family and friends as they wish. The reviews of residents’ care and support needs, involving their relatives or representative were in place. Moving and handling assessments are in place. Technical aids and equipment are available for residents. Residents care records showed that they have access to external health care services. GPs and Community Nurses were regularly consulted for advice and treatment. Records show district nurses visit the home as required and service users are assisted to access chiropody and optical services at least annually or as often as required. Training records showed senior staff members receive training about medication before they are able to administer it to residents. The medication system was examined but some of the dosette boxes containing residents’ medication did not have the medication record detailing the name of the resident and the contents of the box attached to it. Risk assessments are in place. Care records, conversation with staff and observation showed the privacy and dignity of residents is respected. All of those residents spoken to, who could comment, said that they were treated well by the staff and well cared for. Attention was paid to service users’ dignity and staff were seen to act respectfully at all times. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Daily Life and Social Activities The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 12,13,14,15 Quality in this outcome area is adequate. This judgement has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. Residents find the life style experienced in the home matches their experiences and preferences. Residents maintain contact with family and friends as they wish. Staff help residents to exercise some choice and control over their lives. The diet of residents is wholesome. EVIDENCE: A programme of activities is in place for residents this includes: chair aerobics, videos, sing-a-long, bingo, dominoes, board games, and hairdressing. Various parties are also arranged, which are quite well supported by relatives and families. Coffee mornings also take place fortnightly and the local community may call in. At the time of inspection residents in both lounges were sitting on their own doing nothing. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 Some residents have the opportunity to visit the local community with relatives. Staff ask each resident about their wishes, interests and choices. The home’s menu is displayed on a board in the dining room to ensure residents can see the daily choice of food. The menu displayed was not the same as the menus available in the kitchen nor did any of the written menus coincide with what had been eaten by residents that week. The cook’s record of food provided by the home did not provide evidence of food provided every day from the kitchen. Cooked breakfast is available if residents want it and can be served in a resident’s bedroom if they wish. On the day of inspection the lunch served was: toad in the hole and vegetables or liver and bacon. Pudding was trifle or apple pie and custard. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 Complaints and Protection The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 16,18 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. Procedures are in place to protect residents from abuse or harm. A complaints procedure is available for the use of residents and relatives. EVIDENCE: There is a complaints procedure, if complainants are not happy with the homes investigation and response. The home’s complaints procedure contains details of how to contact CSCI to make a complaint. The home keeps a record of complaints. Residents and their families are also asked if they have any complaints. Staff are to receive training about Protection of Vulnerable Adults and Prevention of Abuse. Staff are to receive training about Dementia Care that will give them more insight into the needs of people with memory loss. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 Environment The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 19,25,26 Quality in this outcome area is poor. This judgement has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. Residents live in a safe, quite well maintained environment. Residents live in safe, quite comfortable surroundings. The home is not clean and hygienic in all areas. EVIDENCE: There is a programme of redecoration around the home. Since the last inspection some bedrooms and communal areas have been redecorated. The home was quite clean, decorated and maintained. There is quite a good standard of hygiene around the home apart from carpets in the dining room Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 and the hallways especially by the cleaning cupboard and entrance to the rear lounge were very dirty. Some armchairs in the rear lounge were threadbare and worn and dirty. Staff receive training about infection control to reduce any spread of infection. The water supply to the upstairs extension was not adequate, there was no pressure from the boiler to provide a supply of hot water from the taps to the wash hand basins. There was no supply of hot water to the bathroom in the extension. These residents had to have hot water brought to their bedrooms in order to wash. One of the work surfaces in the kitchen was very scored and marked. The home has sufficient sitting and dining space. Residents can see visitors in private in their own rooms. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 Staffing The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 27,28,29,30 Quality in this outcome area is adequate. This judgement has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. Residents are protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. . Systems are in place to ensure residents are in safe hands at all times. Staff are trained to meet the care needs of residents. EVIDENCE: Examination of staff rotas and discussion with the person in charge and members of the staff team showed that the numbers of staff are as follows: 8.00am- 4.00pm 4.00 pm –10.00pm 10.00pm – 8.00am 3 care staff 2 care staff 3 care staff There is a senior staff member on each shift. Other staff members are employed for duties such as food preparation, cleaning and maintenance. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 The necessary checks are being carried out prior to the workers being appointed. Two written references were available on the staff files examined from the most recent employers. An application form had been completed for each staff member. CRB checks are carried out before a person is appointed. No staff photograph was available on individual staff files. There was no proof of identity on individual staff files. There is a stable committed staff team and there is a low turnover of staff. Staff stated that they enjoyed working in the home and were observed to be kind, caring and respectful to residents. There is a commitment to staff training to ensure staff are equipped with the skills to meet the needs of residents. New starters follow the T.O.P.S.S induction now called Skills for Care. All staff have achieved level 2 National Vocational Qualifications apart from two people. Some staff are studying or have achieved level 3. The deputy manager is to study at level 5 for an operational management qualification. Staff have also received Falls and Fractures training to increase their awareness. Future training planned includes: Diabetes care, dementia care. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Management and Administration The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): 31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38 Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made from evidence gathered both during and before the visit to this service. The home is run for the benefit of residents. Residents benefit from the management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of residents. Residents’ financial interests are safe guarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. There are good record keeping procedures in place. The health, safety and welfare of residents and staff are quite well protected . Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 22 EVIDENCE: Good efforts are being made to improve the service provided and there is capacity for continual improvement. Residents are asked individually about their daily living requirements e.g. what to eat, when to get up and go to bed. Lockable facilities are available for residents to keep their own money if they wish. If a resident does not wish to keep control of their own money, the home is able to provide the facility to hold a small amount of money on behalf of the resident for everyday living. Individual records show the home has a suitable system for accounting any monies held on behalf of a resident. Staff appraisals take place annually in order to review staff training needs and to ensure they are fulfilling their job description. The last staff meeting recorded was April 2006. Staff files showed staff are supervised regularly. All records that were required to be kept were in order. Documents detailing fire safety, risk assessments in the environment were all up to date. Staff training relating to health and safety was up to date and training being planned to renew any that required updating such as Moving and Handling ,fire training, food hygiene and safe handling of medication. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 SCORING OF OUTCOMES This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from: 4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 x x 3 3 4 x HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 4 9 2 10 3 11 x DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 x 18 3 2 x x x x 3 2 2 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 24 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? YES STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. 1. 2. Standard OP9 OP19 Regulation 13(4)(c) 16(2)(c) Requirement Community pharmacy guidelines must be adhered to for the safe handling of medication. Armchairs must be replaced. THIS REQUIREMENT REMAINS OUTSTANDING. 3. OP25 23(2)(p) To ensure safe arrangements are in place for the adequate heating of all areas of the building. The carpet by the cleaning cupboard must be replaced or made good. 01/09/06 Timescale for action 25/07/06 01/10/06 4. OP26 23(2)(d) 31/08/06 5 6 OP26 OP26 23(2)(d) 23(2)(d) 7 8 OP25 OP29 23(2)(j) Schedule Carpets to the dining room and hallways must be replaced or cleaned. The worn and scored kitchen work surface must be replaced in the interests of health and safety. An adequate supply of hot, running water must be provided to all bedrooms and bathrooms. Photographs and proof of DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc 31/08/06 31/08/06 01/10/06 01/09/06 Page 25 Albion Court Version 5.2 2,7,9,191 9 OP38 17(2)(14) identity must be available on all staff files. An accurate record must be kept of all food cooked and provided. 25/07/06 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. 1. Refer to Standard OP14 Good Practice Recommendations To continue to consult with residents. Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 26 Commission for Social Care Inspection Cramlington Area Office Northumbria House Manor Walks Cramlington Northumberland NE23 6UR National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk © This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI Albion Court DS0000052603.V290498.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 27 - Please note that this information is included on www.bestcarehome.co.uk under license from the regulator. Re-publishing this information is in breach of the terms of use of that website. Discrete codes and changes have been inserted throughout the textual data shown on the site that will provide incontrovertable proof of copying in the event this information is re-published on other websites. 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